Degree Requirements - BA/BS/Minor in Political Science

Political Science

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

There are four different options for students completing a degree in political science: the standard major, the Public Service track, the International Development track, and the Honors Program.

There is also an option to receive a Minor in Political Science. This option is great for testing the waters to see if you enjoy Political Science or if you find that Political Science would be a great compliment to your current major.

Standard Political Science Major

The standard major offers a traditional course of study in political science that involves some exposure to three basic areas of the discipline. In addition to meeting the University’s general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a basic major in political science must take a minimum of 56 credits in political science distributed as follows. A minimum of 24 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Core Courses (choose 4 of these 5 options) = 16 credits

PS 101 U.S. Government -or- PS 102 U.S Politics
PS 204 Comparative Politics
PS 205 International Politics
PS 206 Introduction to Public Policy
PS 208 Introduction to Political Theory

Elective Courses = 40 credits

Five PS electives (of which a minimum 12 credits must be upper division) = 20 credits
Five 400-level PS courses = 20 credits

Total credits hours = 56 credits

Political Science: Public Service Track

The Public Service track in Political Science is designed for students who want a more hands-on experience in the major or are interested in practical politics. The curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in American government, while instilling in them an understanding of public service. Students in this track are required to serve an internship in a governmental or political office. In addition to meeting the University’s general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a major in Political Science: Public Service Track must take a minimum of 56 credits in political science distributed as follows. A minimum of 24 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Core Courses = 24 credits:

Lower Division Core Courses (choose 4 of these 5 options) = 16 credits:

PS 101 U.S. Government -or- PS 102 U.S Politics
PS 204 Comparative Politics
PS 205 International Politics
PS 206 Introduction to Public Policy
PS 208 Introduction to Political Theory

Upper Division Core Courses (choose 2 of these 4 options) = 8 credits:

PS 331 Oregon Politics
PS 335U Race and Politics in the United States
PS 419 Political Reform
PS 431 State and Local Politics

Electives = 24 credits:

Additional Political Science or Public Administration electives (of these a minimum 16 credits must be in Political Science) = 24 credits
Note: Courses used to meet the core requirements cannot be used at the same time to fulfill the elective requirements.

Political Science options:	Public Administration options:
PS 310 How to Win a U.S. Political Campaign PS 312 Legislative Process PS 313U The Power Game: A Simulation of Washington Politics PS 316U Politics and the Arts PS 318U Media, Opinion, and Voting PS 319U Politics of the Environment PS 331 Oregon Politics PS 335U Race and Politics in the United States PS 380U Women and Politics PS 381U Women's Leadership PS 412 The Presidency PS 413 Congress PS 414 Issues in Public Policy PS 416 Political Parties and Elections PS 417 Interest Groups PS 418 Contemporary Political Protest in America PS 419 Political Reform PS 421 The Supreme Court and American Politics PS 424 Law, Politics, and Society PS 427 The Politics of Public Opinion PS 429 American Immigration Politics & Policy PS 431 State and Local Politics PS 435 Disasters and Public Policy PS 471 Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective	PA 311U Introduction to Civic Engagement PA 312U Foundations of Community Leadership PA 313U Fundamentals of Public Service PA 320U Introduction to Nonprofit Management PA 412 Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions PA 413 Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals PA 414 Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions PA 417 Ethical Leadership PA 425 Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations

Political Science options:

Public Administration options:

PS 310 How to Win a U.S. Political Campaign
PS 312 Legislative Process
PS 313U The Power Game: A Simulation of Washington Politics
PS 316U Politics and the Arts
PS 318U Media, Opinion, and Voting
PS 319U Politics of the Environment
PS 331 Oregon Politics
PS 335U Race and Politics in the United States
PS 380U Women and Politics
PS 381U Women's Leadership
PS 412 The Presidency
PS 413 Congress
PS 414 Issues in Public Policy
PS 416 Political Parties and Elections
PS 417 Interest Groups
PS 418 Contemporary Political Protest in America
PS 419 Political Reform
PS 421 The Supreme Court and American Politics
PS 424 Law, Politics, and Society
PS 427 The Politics of Public Opinion
PS 429 American Immigration Politics & Policy
PS 431 State and Local Politics
PS 435 Disasters and Public Policy
PS 471 Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective

PA 311U Introduction to Civic Engagement
PA 312U Foundations of Community Leadership
PA 313U Fundamentals of Public Service
PA 320U Introduction to Nonprofit Management
PA 412 Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions
PA 413 Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals
PA 414 Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions
PA 417 Ethical Leadership
PA 425 Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations

Field Experience = 8 credits:

PS 404 Cooperative Education/Internship

Total credits hours = 56 credits

Political Science: International Development Track

This program has been placed on Moratorium

The International Development track is designed for political science majors who want to pursue a directed course of study on such topics as global governance, international and development economics, foreign aid and humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction and human development, post-colonial studies, sustainable development, and international and intergenerational justice. In addition to meeting the University’s general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a major in Political Science: International Development Track must take a minimum of 56 credits in political science distributed as follows. A minimum of 24 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Core Courses (24 credits):

Lower Division Core Courses (choose 4 of these 5 options) = 16 credits:

PS 101 U.S. Government -or- PS 102 U.S Politics
PS 204 Comparative Politics
PS 205 International Politics
PS 206 Introduction to Public Policy
PS 208 Introduction to Political Theory

Upper Division Core Courses (choose 2 from the options below) = 8 credits:

PS 410 Political Economy of Development
PS 447 International Organization
PS 448 International Law
PS 449 International Environmental Politics and Law
PS 454 International Political Economy
PS 477 Global Food Politics and Policy

Elective Courses = 28 credits:

Choose five courses from the following Political Science electives (20 credits):

PS 319U Politics of the Environment
PS 340 Politics of Global Development
PS 352U Introduction to European Politics
PS 353U Introduction to Latin American Politics
PS 354U Introduction to Asian Politics
PS 355U Introduction to African Politics
PS 361U Introduction to the Politics of the Middle East
PS 362U Arab-Israeli Conflict
PS 364 Politics of Identity and Inequality in the Middle East
PS 373 Violence, Rebellion, and Civil War
PS 460 Political Development in Modern Turkey
PS 461 Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey
PS 466 Politics of China
PS 471 Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective
PS 472 Democratization and Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa
PS 473 Government and Politics of Arab North Africa
PS 474 Democracy and Development in Latin America
PS 479 Transitions to Democracy
PS 483 Justice in the Modern World

Choose two courses of the following Non-Political Science electives (8 credits):

EC 340
EC 442
EC 445
EC 477
EC 450
INTL 203
INTL 445/USP 445
INTL 490
USP 312U
USP 317U
USP 419/Soc 441
USP 490

Final Project PS 405 (4 credits) -or- PS 404 Internship (4+ credits)

Students participating in the Political Science International Development track option are required to execute a substantial research paper on a development-related topic of their choosing, overseen by a faculty member (Dr. Lindsay Benstead, Dr. Joshua Eastin, Dr. Safia Farole, Dr. David Kinsella, or Dr. Birol Yesilada)

As an alternative to the research project, students may participate in a professional internship that supports the International Development track option’s basic educational goals.

Total credits hours = 56 credits

Political Science Honors Program

The honors program is designed for our top students who seek out additional intellectual challenges, including research and writing an honors thesis during their senior year. It is distinct from the University Honors Program, but political science majors may be admitted to both programs.

Political science honors students complete all of the coursework required for the standard major, but honors coursework must include the following:

PS 411 Advanced Overview of Political Science
PS 491 Testing Theories in Political Science
PS 403 Honors Thesis (12 credits)

Thesis credits are awarded in conjunction with thesis research and writing during the senior year, and students submit and defend their honors theses at the end of their senior year. For political science students who are also enrolled in the University Honors Program, the process is designed to satisfy the thesis requirements of both programs, although these students have the option of enrolling in up to 4 credits of HON 403 rather than PS 403.

Political Science Minor

The minor in political science requires fewer credits than the standard major and may be combined with other majors offered at PSU. Of the 28 required course credits, students must complete at least 16 at PSU.

All courses submitted to satisfy the requirements for a minor in political science must be passed with a grade of C or above. Students are encouraged to take political science courses that complement their academic interests and scholarly goals. The political science minor is designed to be as flexible as possible to facilitate this end. Students considering a minor in political science are strongly encouraged to consult with a political science adviser to work out an instructional program that meets their needs.

Core Courses (choose 2 of the 4 options) = 8 credits

PS 101 U.S. Government -or- PS 102 U.S Politics
PS 204 Comparative Politics
PS 205 International Politics
PS 208 Introduction to Political Theory

Elective Courses = 20 credits

Five PS courses, minimum three of which must be at the 400-level

Total credits hours = 28 credits

The curriculum requirements above are current as of catalog year 2024-25.

You may select the requirements in any catalog/Bulletin going back to the year you first enrolled at any accredited postsecondary institution, as long as you graduate within seven years of that year (e.g., the 2022-2023 catalog/Bulletin expires in Summer 2029). Most students use the requirements that are in place when they enter PSU. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements work best for your situation.

Once a student has been admitted to Portland State University, upper-division courses used to meet political science major requirements must be taken at the University. Courses taken at another college or university must have received prior approval from the Department of Political Science. All courses used to satisfy political science major requirements, whether taken at PSU or elsewhere, must be graded C- or above (Courses used to satisfy the political science minor requirements must be graded C or above). Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits of political science coursework at PSU.

Learn about our Honors Program

Explore Our Other Academic Programs

Besides the major and minor in Political Science, we also offer various programs in International & Global Studies, a minor in Law & Legal Studies, and various certificate programs. You can customize your education by adding a double major, or minors and certificates to your degree. Find something you are passionate about and start learning!

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